No abstract available.
Fosinopril* ; Humans ; Hypertension*

OBJECTIVES: Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia(PCP) is one of the most common life-threatening opportunistic infections in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome(AIDS). This study reports the clinical charac teristics of PCP in the patients with AIDS and prognostic factors for short-term survival of them. METHODS: We investigated 43 patients of AIDS to evaluate the frequency of PCP in patients in AIDS by retrospective analysis, and classified the 17 patients with PCP into survivors and non-survivors to compare epide miology, clinical characteristics and laboratory findings. We also analyzed whether the these findings influenced the short-term survival in patients with PCP that was combined with AIDS. RESULTS: In this retrospective study of 43 patients of AIDS, the frequency of PCP in AIDS patients was relatively high as 17 patients(39%), of whom eight pa tients(47%) died of PCP. The epidemiologic findings such as age, route of human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) infection and co-existing disease were not significantly different between survivors and non-survivors. Coughing was the most common symptom and bilateral infiltrates of lung was the most common form in the chest X-ray examination. But these clinical features were similar in the both groups. Total lymphocyte count, CD4 cell count, serum albumin level and arterial oxygen tension were decreased and serum LDH was increased in patients with PCP that was the first episode in patients with AIDS. Lymphocyte and CD4 cell count were significantly lower in the non-survivor group (p=.002 and p=.03, respec tively). Survivors had higher serum albumin level and arterial oxygen tension than non-survivors (p=.02 and p=.04, respectively). And non-survivors were found to have higher serum LDH level than survivors (p=.02). CONCLUSION: Lymphocyte and CD4 cell counts, serum albumin and LDH, and arterial oxygen tension may be considered as the prognostic factors for short-term sur vival of patients with PCP that is combined with AIDS.
CD4 Lymphocyte Count ; Cough ; Humans ; Lung ; Lymphocyte Count ; Lymphocytes ; Opportunistic Infections ; Oxygen ; Pneumocystis carinii* ; Pneumocystis* ; Pneumonia, Pneumocystis* ; Retrospective Studies ; Serum Albumin ; Survivors ; Thorax

Relapsing polychondritis is a rare disease characterized by widespread destructive inflammatory lesions, involving cartilaginous tissue throughout the body. Commonly involved organs include the external ear, nose, joints, eyes, tracheobronchial tree, cardiovascular system and cutaneous tissues. Erythema nodosum or mesenteric panniculitis have sometimes been described in association with relapsing polychondritis, but cutaneous panniculitis is rarely reported in relapsing polychondritis. We report here a relapsing polychondritis patient who developed cutaneous panniculitis, which was resolved by corticosteroid therapy.
Cardiovascular System ; Ear, External ; Erythema Nodosum ; Humans ; Joints ; Nose ; Panniculitis* ; Panniculitis, Peritoneal ; Polychondritis, Relapsing* ; Rare Diseases

Typhoid fever is a bacteremic disease and many organs, including intestine, liver, bone, lung, thyroid, kidney, spleen, heart and pancreas may be invaded by the organism. Acute pancreatitis associated with typhoid fever sometimes needs prolonged total parenteral hyperalimentation and antibiotic treatment. Systemic Candida infections are usually encountered as opportunistic infections in a setting of immunologic depression. The authors report a case of Candida parapsilosis fungemia associated parenteral nutrition in acute pancreatitis associated with typhoid fever. A 17 year-old man was transfered to Pusan national university hospital on May 4th, 1998 under diagnosis of salmonella sepsis. High fever, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea developed 10 days before entery. On admission, serum amylase, lipase and transaminase showed elevation. The patient was treated with antibiotics(ceftriaxon) and total parenteral hyperalimentation was done under diagnosis of acute pancreatitis and hepatitis associated with typhoid fever. On 3rd hospital day, body temperature returned to normal but abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting continued. On 18th hospital day, high fever recurred and ceftriaxon was re-administered. Three days later, body temperature returned to normal. On 25th hospital days, culture of blood and catheter tip was positive for C. parapsilosis. On 27th hospital days, sudden onset high fever, pnumonic infiltration, confusion, hypotension, oliguria and azotemia developed. On 34th hospital day, sudden onset ventricular fibillation developed. On 35th hospital day, the patients died. We report a case of candida fungemia in acute pancreatitis and hepatitis associated with typhoid fever.
Abdominal Pain ; Adolescent ; Amylases ; Azotemia ; Body Temperature ; Busan ; Candida* ; Catheters ; Ceftriaxone ; Depression ; Diagnosis ; Diarrhea ; Fever ; Fungemia* ; Heart ; Hepatitis* ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Intestines ; Kidney ; Lipase ; Liver ; Lung ; Nausea ; Oliguria ; Opportunistic Infections ; Pancreas ; Pancreatitis* ; Parenteral Nutrition ; Parenteral Nutrition, Total ; Salmonella ; Sepsis ; Spleen ; Thyroid Gland ; Typhoid Fever* ; Vomiting

PURPOSE: Combination chemotherapy has shown promising activity in small cell lung cancer (SCLC). This study was perfonned to determine the efficacy of the combination chemotherapy with etoposide, ifosfamide and cisplatin (VIP) in previously untreated patients with SCLC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with SCLC were treated with etoposide (75 mg/m iv. D1-4), ifosfamide (1200 mg/m iv. Dl-4 with mesna) and cisplatin (20 mg/m iv. D1-4). The treatment was repeated every 3 weeks for 6 cycles in principle. Thoracic radiotherapy was administered to patients with limited disease (LD) of SCLC after initial 2 or 3 cycles of chemotherapy subsequently. Praphylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) was given to complete responders of SCLC. RESULTS: From April 1996 through June 1998, 42 patients were included, but 32 were eligible for the study (4 refused of treatment, 2 lost in follow-up, and 4 combined with other disease). The median age was 62 years (range, 42-74). Twelve patients had LD and 20 patients were with extended disease (ED). Complete response (CR) rate was 34% (LD 58%, ED 20%) and overall response rate was 72% (LD 83%, ED 65%). The median duration of response was 28 weeks (38 weeks in LD, 24 weeks in ED, P=0.016) With the median follow-up period of 65 weeks (6-134 weeks), overall median survival was 43 weeks (56 weeks in LD, 34 weeks in ED, P 0.001), and the median disease free survival (DFS) of eleven CR patients was 16 weeks. Stage, performance, and LDH level were significant prognostic factom (P 0.011, 0.002, 0.043, respectively), but sex and age did not affect the outcome significantly. The hematologic side effects (WHO grade 2) of evaluable 152 cycles of chemotherapy were leukopenia (53%), thrombocytopenia (31%) and anemia (16%); and nonhematologic side effects (WHO grade >2) were alopecia (84%), nausea/vomiting (45%) and stomatitis (19%). CONCLUSION: It appears that VIP combination chemotherapy is a safe, effective and well tolerated regimen for the patients with SCLC.
Alopecia ; Anemia ; Cisplatin* ; Cranial Irradiation ; Disease-Free Survival ; Drug Therapy ; Drug Therapy, Combination* ; Etoposide* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Ifosfamide* ; Leukopenia ; Radiotherapy ; Small Cell Lung Carcinoma* ; Stomatitis ; Thrombocytopenia

Neurofibromatosis type 1 is the most common neurocutaneous disorders and affects between 1/2,000 and 1/4,500 people. This occurs at any age and is hereditary disease with autosomal dominant fashion. Renovascular hypertension is major form of renal manifestation of the disease. There are few reported cases in Japan and Hungary of Recklinghausen's neurofibromatosis with several glomerular lesions but their relationship is not apparent. A 21-year-old man was admitted to the hospital because of general edema. On admission, the blood pressure was 130/ 80 mmHg and general edema was noted. He had a plexiform neuroma on right flank and multiple cafe- au-lait spots on chest and extremites. Laboratory findings were as follows : Hemoglobin 14.2 g/dL, AST 28 IU/L, ALT 12 IU/L, albumin 1.2 gm/dL, total cholesterol 533 mg/dL, urinary protein 4.0 gm/ day, C3 86.6 mg/dL, C4 19.9 mg/dL, HBs Ag/Ab (+/-), HBe Ag/Ab (+/-), HCV Ab (-), HBV DNA probe 6,000 pg/mL. Renal biopsy was performed and the histological findings were compatible with minimal change disease. The immunohistochemical method revealed that HBsAg was negative. We experienced a case of minimal change disease concurrent with Neurofibromatosis type 1, but their relationship is not clear. We report this case with a brief review.
Biopsy ; Blood Pressure ; Cholesterol ; DNA ; Edema ; Genetic Diseases, Inborn ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; Humans ; Hungary ; Hypertension, Renovascular ; Japan ; Nephrosis, Lipoid* ; Neurocutaneous Syndromes ; Neurofibroma, Plexiform ; Neurofibromatoses* ; Neurofibromatosis 1* ; Thorax ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency and associated factors of physiologic abnormalities indicative of lung disease in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Thirty-six early RA patients(mean age 43+/-12 years, 30 females, disease durations less than 12 months, mean duration 5+/-3 months), who had not been treated with disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), were studied. Clinical, laboratoy and radiologic variables such as age, sex, smoking history, past lung disease history, drug medication history, rheumatoid factor positivity, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), CRP and chest radiography, were undertaken. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were performed in all patients and results for PFTs were expressed as percentage of predicted values for each individual adjusted for age, sex, and height. Lung disease was defined as one or more of the followings should be present, 1) forced vital capacity (FVC) <80% for predicted, 2) diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide (DLCO) <80% for predicted, 3) forced expiratory flow from 25% and 75% of vital capacity (FEF 25-75%) <80% for predicted. Statistical comparisons were made using Student? t test or chi-square test as appropriate. RESULTS: All patients had normal chest radiography. Rheumatoid factor was positive in 21 patients (58%), smokers were 5 patients (14%), ESR and CRP were increased in 16 (44%) and 17 patients (47%). Ten patients (28%) had lung disease and included FVC <80% in 4, DLCO <80% in 4 and FEF 25-75% <80% in 6 patients. There was no significant predictor of lung disease. CONCLUSION: The frequency of lung disease in early RA by PFTs was 28% and there was no significant predictor of lung disease.
Antirheumatic Agents ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid* ; Blood Sedimentation ; Carbon Monoxide ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Diseases ; Lung* ; Radiography ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Rheumatoid Factor ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Thorax ; Vital Capacity

No abstract available.

Endothelin (ET), a vascular endothelium derived contracting factor, provokes a strong and long lasting contraction of blood vessels, including coronary artery. Chemical stirnuli such as Ca++ ionophore (in vitro) and myocardial ischemia (in vivo) are known to promote the production of ET. Since halothane has recently been shown to block Ca++ channel, it might blunt ET-1 release or production from ischemic myocardium. To test this hypothesis, open-chest dogs underwent eitber 15 minutes (n=7) of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) occlusion or 30 minutes (n=7) and 120 minutes of reperfusion under the halothane anesthesia. Plasma concentration of ET-1 in the femoral artery (FA) and the great cardiac vein (CV) draining ischemic myocardium was measured using radioimmunoas-say. ET-1 production (pg/mL) was calculated by substrating the ET-1 levels in FA from those in CV. The results were as follows; 1) Baseline ET-1 levels in FA and CV were similar in both groups. 2) ET-1 levels in FA and CV remained unchanged during myocardial ischemia in both groups. 3) ET-1 production significantly increased from baseline at 30, 60 and 120 min into reperfusion, respectively, in the 30 min group, whereas no significant changes were observed from baseline in the 15 min group. These findings indicate that halothane may blunt, but could not block the production or release of ET-1 completely during myocardial ischemia-reperfusion, especially in the case of prolonged coronary arterial occlusion.
Anesthesia ; Animals ; Blood Vessels ; Coronary Circulation* ; Coronary Vessels ; Dogs* ; Endothelin-1* ; Endothelins ; Endothelium, Vascular ; Femoral Artery ; Halothane* ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Myocardium ; Plasma ; Reperfusion ; Veins

BACKGROUND: Serum potassium level assessment is one of the commonly requested laboratory tests. Hypokalemia is defined as a serum potassium level of less than 3.5 mEq/L. It can be potentially life-threatening when severe, due to its association with cardiac arrhythmia and sudden deaths. The aim of our study is to determine the prevalence and to define clinical characteristics of severe hypokalemia in internal medicine hospitalized patients. METHODS: From December 1999 to June 2000, the group with at least one recorded plasma potassium concentration of less than 3.0 mEq/L was selected in department of internal medicine, Pusan national university hospital. Routine records of age, sex and prevalence was collected. Severe hypokalemia is defined as a serum potassium concentration less than 2.6 mEq/L. This patients were retrospectively studied for discharge diagnosis, medications prescribed before and during hospital stay, hospital course and laboratory findings. RESULTS: There were 7.52% (235/3124) with at least one recorded potassium level of less than 3.0 mEq/L. Severe hypokalemia were 75 patients (2.4%). It were more likely to be female, but statically insignificant. Of the 75 patients, 59 patients (77.3%) had hypokalemia during hospitalization. Gastrointestinal loss of potassium was only 13.8% of the patients. The main causes were combination of iatrogenic factors, including the adminstration of intravenous fluids with insufficient or no potassium, malnutrition, and several drugs. The discharge diagnosis included infection 20 patients (26.6%), malignancy 19 patients (25.3%), gastointestinal disorders 8 patients (10.6%). And each of cardiovascular, respiratory and renal disorders have 7 patients (9.3%). In-hospital mortality was 34.6% (26/75) in severe hypokalemia. Compared to the alive group, death group showed statically significant decrease in serum albumin concentration (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Severe hypokalemia is fatal electrolyte disorder. The most frequent cause of this lethal condition is drug therapy and intravenous fluids with insufficient or no potassium replacement. It can be prevented by regular potassium monitoring and appropriate potassium supplementation in risky hospitalized patients.
Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Busan ; Death, Sudden ; Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Female ; Hospital Mortality ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Hypokalemia* ; Internal Medicine* ; Length of Stay ; Malnutrition ; Plasma ; Potassium ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Serum Albumin